I am going to purchase a pattern reference book. It would should have the common, most fished patterns ( dry, wet, nymph, streamer) in the east and south.if you to purchase one pattern reference book, which would it be?

A good book would be Fly Pattern Encyclopedia by Al and Gretchen Beatty - Frank Amato Press. It has the basic patterns as well as a lot of unique stuff (some of the flies have me scratching my head) but the book is well organized and uses color plates.

One of the first books I purchased was "Essential Trout Fly's". That was about 6 years ago and I still use it. Granted it is not as extensive as the Fly Pattern Encyclopedia, but its got he major ones.